Ava Bruno

Ava Bruno started Chinook West High School in her freshman year of high school. Some of her fondest memories are participating in track and volleyball in middle school. She loved having a safe and fun place to grow up, where she could make new friends.

Two of Ava’s favorite classes were film class and creative writing. She says she’s passionate about all things film-related. If she could pursue a career in filming in the future, she “would be ecstatic.”

Her favorite adults in school include Tom Holmquist, George Walters, Andrea Bianchi, and Cameron Kollar. “They were one of the reasons school felt safe for me and made school fun,” shares Ava.

Another student who made school life better for Ava was Wylde Monroe Kelly, stating, “School would’ve been incredibly tough without having Wylde Monroe Kelly by my side. And thank god Haven Vernon came to Chinook. I don’t know who I’d be without them.”

Ava confesses school was never really her thing, but she will miss the people. She credits the staff for helping her through school and motivating her to continue. “Having teachers genuinely care about me and my health has been awesome. This school has been enjoyable with all the community-building activities and trips.”

After graduation, Ava plans on taking a gap year to work and save money. She will then start college, taking online classes so she can travel.

When asked what advice she has for kids going to Chinook in the future, Ava says, “Enjoy it as much as you can.”

Ava, congratulations on your upcoming graduation!

Ehren Busby

Ehren Busby started attending Nederland Middle-Senior High School in seventh grade and Chinook West in twelfth grade. He is passionate about his work ethic and future career, sharing, “What keeps me going is visualizing the future and all the things I can do in the future.”

Ehren will miss the friends he’s made and being around those friends often. He loved taking any class that was engineering-based, including math and physics. His favorite teacher was Ms. Strong.

He shares, “She wasn’t just a great teacher but always understood certain situations with each student. She would help everyone through everything while maintaining a healthy class environment so everyone felt comfortable and she made sure they were learning.”

“It’s difficult and it’s not getting any easier. But the more you work and get through, even the hardest of classes, the more it’ll pay off,” is Ehren’s advice to future Chinook students.

Ehren plans to attend college for Business/Finance and maybe a form of engineering, but he’s also considering trade school. In the meantime, he plans “on going straight to the workforce.”

Thank you, Ehren, and congratulations on your upcoming graduation!

Wylde Monroe Kelly

Wylde Monroe Kelly has been attending Nederland schools since first grade. He is currently in the eleventh grade. His fondest memories in school are riding the bus to school in the morning and talking with friends.

He has also enjoyed the many rock-climbing field trips. He says rock climbing is his favorite thing to do. Aside from rock climbing, Wylde is passionate about skateboarding and snowboarding.

Making friends is what Wylde has enjoyed most about school. The motivation to graduate early and the close friendships he’s made have kept him attending school. His favorite classes include health and science.

Wylde’s favorite staff member at Chinook West and someone he says made his academic career awesome was Tom Holmquist. Another student who made school life better for Wylde was Ava Bruno.

When asked what advice he would offer future Chinook students, Wylde gently replied, “Be kind to people.”

He has worked at Crosscut Pizza, Eldora, Dino Moves, and the Mountain People’s Co-op. After graduating, Wylde plans on working and purchasing a vehicle. He says he also plans on moving out and is considering college.

Congratulations on your upcoming early graduation, Wylde!